Gill Clarkson

Gill has been part of the Enable New Zealand Clinical Advisory team since 2014, where she initially served as the Team Lead and is currently the Service Manager for the Disability Support Services (DSS) side of the Advisory Service. Her extensive background in Occupational Therapy spans both the UK and New Zealand, encompassing a diverse range of clinical and leadership roles within hospital and community settings.

Since emigrating to New Zealand in 2006, Gill has brought her wealth of experience to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities through her work at Hawkes Bay, where she served as a Senior OT, Gill actively contributed to numerous service improvement projects during this time.  She has a long-standing passion for housing modifications and enjoys tackling complex and challenging scenarios, often finding innovative solutions to ensure optimal outcomes for clients.

She has wide ranging problem-solving skills and is dedicated to client-centered care. In her current role, Gill focuses on leading her team of expert therapists, fostering collaboration, and building strong relationships with professionals across the region.  

Notable Contributions: 

• Housing Modifications: Gill has a particular interest in adapting homes to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities, ensuring greater independence and quality of life. 

• Leadership & Team Support: As Service Manager, Gill plays a pivotal role in mentoring and guiding her team, ensuring a collaborative and supportive environment for her colleagues. 

• Client-Centered Care: Focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for clients, Gill is dedicated to empowering both her team and assessors to advocate for individuals with disabilities. 

• Professional Networking & Relationship Building: Gill actively builds and maintains relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including assessors, managers, and organisations. 

Workshops & Presentations: 

•  In 2018, Gill took part in workshops for the Occupational Therapy New Zealand (OTNZ) on vehicle modifications, EMS criteria, processes, and funding, sharing her expertise and advancing the knowledge of her peers. Gill authored an article for the 2016 edition of OT Insights titled "Enable New Zealand: Who Are We?", providing valuable insights into the organization and its impact on the disability sector. 

• Over the years, Gill has been an active participant in numerous team forums, OT hui’s, and Q&A sessions with assessors nationwide, facilitating open dialogue and fostering professional development across the region. Gill has consistently emphasized the importance of the Clinical Advisory role in supporting optimal client outcomes and has contributed, along with others, to refining the Ministries' access criteria to ensure more effective service delivery.